I'm not sure why anyone would think shining a laser at a plane is a good idea.

Believe it or not, in 2023, pilots reported a record number of laser strikes with planes.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration, 13,304 laser strikes were reported in 2023, a 40% increase from 2022.

Shining a laser at a plane is incredibly dangerous for the pilots and everyone on the plane.

Not only can it cause temporary blindness, but it can also cause permanent eye injuries.

What Happens If You Shine A Laser At A Plane?

First and foremost, if you think you can shine a laser at a plane and get away with it, think again.

Local law enforcement and the Federal Aviation Administration will almost always be able to track you down.

If you are caught shining a laser at an aircraft, the Federal Aviation Administration regulations state that civil penalties of up to $11,000 per violation can be imposed.

According to the organization, they have previously penalized people with up to $30,800 for multiple laser incidents.

How Many People  Shine Lasers At Planes In Montana

I did some digging and was able to track down the exact number of reported laser strikes to planes originating from Montana.

I was slightly surprised at how often this happened over the last few years.

In all fairness, I'm not even sure what would possess somebody to do something stupid like shining a laser at an aircraft.

Nonetheless, here are the numbers…

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